~ Easter Greetings ~

This bunny is too busy for blog hoppin' today, but wants to take a moment to wish you all a Happy & Blessed Easter.

Don't Even Think About It, Mr. Bunny

I planted strawberries for the first time.

I was so excited to see them turning red.

Looks like I'm not the only one who's excited about it.

There's More Than One Way To Feather A Nest

I spent the weekend gardening and feathering my nest for Easter.

When it rained outside, I was inside creating Easter land and when the sun came out I headed outside to plant, weed, prune  and enjoy the beauty of Springtime.  A perfect weekend, in my opinion.

Come on in and I'll show you what I've been up to.

This shelf worked out perfectly for displaying a few of my vintage Easter cards.

The little lamb was in a bag of Christmas figurines I bought at a thrift shop.  I think he works pretty well with this card, although I'm not sure if he's too happy about it.

While I was busy decorating the house, somebunny else was busy decorating the eggs and making the candy for the Easter baskets.

He even made some with zero calories ;-).

Gotta love that guy.

It's not often that you find a book in a thrift shop that matches your flower arrangement.  When you do, you must buy it ~ mustn't you?

A little table on the way to the powder room.

As you can see there is no shortage of bunnies and eggs around here.

See what I mean?

So this weekend found me not only looking into magical eggs, but also ...

looking into magical birdhouses full of eggs of a different sort.

I'm not sure what kind of bird laid these eggs, but she sure did a remarkable job of creating a safe, soft haven for her babies.
She quite literally feathered her nest.

It made me smile to think that while I was in my house feathering my nest for my family a sweet little birdie was also busy feathering her nest for her family.

I love Spring !!!

Smilin'

~ Things that are making me smile today ~

• Quite possibly my new favorite bread for toasting.  Recipe here.
• Last night's quick, but tasty dinner which hit the spot on a cold and damp night.  Recipe here.
• Another new recipe that proved to be not only tasty, but low fat.  Gotta love that.  The closest I could get to a direct link found here.

• The return of blue skies after a gray and gloomy week.
• Birdsong in the morning.

• Rainbows on the ceiling.

• Rhubarb.  I planted it last year and was convinced the heat had done it in.  Guess what ... it's back.  Woo Hoo!  Wonder if I'll get enough to make a strawberry-rhubarb pie with?  Can anybody tell me how I know when it's ready to be cut?

• Cutting the first knock-out rose of the season and pairing it with a few grape hyacinths which will always, always remind me of my mom.  Hi mom!!

• Having a head full of curlers when the garage door repairman rings the doorbell.  Oops, no, April Fool's ... that one didn't exactly make me smile.  I think I set a record for pulling those babies out and tossing them on the counter while running for the door.  Ever notice how when they say between 9:00 and 11:00 it's always 9 when you're not quite ready and 11:00 when you are?

• A cheery picture on my calendar ... that also matches my kitchen ... and was free from the local power company ~ no fooling :), ;), =)

What's making you smile today?

A Birthday Dinner With a Touch of Pink

As I have been savoring every delicious meal plan, delighting in your shared wisdom for entertaining guests graciously and actually looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone, a small opportunity presented itself.

A special young lady (my son's girlfriend) was celebrating a birthday.

As she and Jeremy were going to be stopping by yesterday, it seemed a cake and some gifts were in order.  After checking to see if they could stay for dinner, I decided to make my son's most requested recipe (nicknamed "Mac & Ham"), broccoli & cauliflower and a nice fresh salad.  He'd been telling her about this recipe since they met and she was anxious to try it.  It's certainly not fancy, but it's the recipe both of my boys request when given a choice of what's on the menu for dinner.

And since her favorite color is pink, freshly picked pink dogwood branches became the obvious choice for an impromptu centerpiece. 

Dinner was on the table and eaten before the camera stood a chance.  I always enjoy watching college kids scarf down eat a home-cooked meal.

** Happy 20th Birthday to Amber **

Thank you all for your wonderful encouragment and menu suggestions.  My mouth was watering just reading them.  I'll keep you posted on the "stepping out of the comfort zone dinner".

The Gift of Today and A Request

The past few years have made me realize more than ever that each and every day is a gift.  A life lesson that I wish I'd learned when I was much younger, but better late than never.

Growing up painfully shy, I wasn't one to jump into life with both feet.  It was more like sticking one toe in and testing the water before feeling comfortable enough to embrace it. 

The outgoing people who jump in there and grab life by the horns and "just do it" have always fascinated and amazed me.  I can't imagine what that feels like, but it sure looks like fun.

Thankfully, over the years the painful part has fallen by the wayside, but it seems shy will always be a part of who I am.  Something I work to overcome each day. 

Shyness may be one of the obstacles in my life, but it doesn't steal my happiness and joy for life.  It also doesn't prevent me from appreciating each and every day.  It does, however, still make me stick with "safe and comfortable" more often than I'd like.

An example of safe and comfortable :

I've gotten in the safe habit of entertaining a couple of times per year.  It's pretty much the same people (family members) and the menu has gotten very comfortable.  In other words, make what I know they like and I'm safe.  No danger that they won't like it.

The problem is I really want to step out of my comfort zone and invite some new people over for dinner.  I've been talking about doing it for years and every time I get close I chicken out.  Although I own about a hundred cookbooks, I go blank when I think of what to serve that will go over well.  I think I need a nudge from all of you out there who seem to entertain so comfortably and easily. 

I honestly can't believe I'm typing this  and I'd better hit publish soon or I know it will be deleted.  It's just that I am determined to overcome this little obstacle and soon.  So, what I'd like to ask is if you have a recipe that you serve company and it's always a hit, would you consider telling me about it? 

Hope this wasn't TMI for you today.

 

I heard on the news this morning that several states received snow.  Although it is 81 degrees here right now, it's been snowing cherry blossoms all afternoon.

 

Stepping way out of my comfort zone to hit PUBLISH now.

Welcoming Spring With A Happy Heart

We've been waiting for you.

But now the wait is over.

For you have arrived once again, carrying with you fresh air and gentle breezes . . .

The promise of new life. . .

Bright colors to refresh the winter weary landscape.

And the sweet, sweet smells that you do so well.

Now that you are here . . .

Please make yourself at home and stay awhile.


Happy, Happy First Day of Spring!